The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant John Baptiste, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Rough River Recreation Area near Lichfield, Kentucky on 3 August 1969. In the late afternoon, while in a small fishing boat, Sergeant Baptiste observed a friend’s young son, swimming towards the shoreline, thrashing about in the water. Pulling up close to the boy Sergeant Baptiste, although he himself could not swim, dove into the water without regard for his own life and without hesitation in an attempt to rescue the boy. With only one life preserver in the water, Sergeant Baptiste unhesitatingly put it on the child. After a struggle with the highly frightened and panicky boy, Sergeant Baptiste in an almost superhuman effort managed to get the boy into his fishing boat. As a result of this heroic and extremely fatiguing act, Sergeant Baptiste, by then thoroughly exhausted, slipped beneath the surface of the lake. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Sergeant At peace is reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.